Creative Writing Major

Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing

The creative writing major requires a minimum of 36 credit hours (nine courses).

ENGL 299Craft & Context
One literature course before 1830 (British) or 1865 (U.S.) 4
One 300-level literature course4
One introduction to genre course4
One workshop course4
One elective writing course4
One craft intensive course4
One practical application course or experience4
ENGL 400Senior Seminar4
Total Credits32

Literature Courses Before 1830 (British) or 1865 (U.S.)

ENGL 221British Literature I4
ENGL 223Shakespeare4
ENGL 225American Literature Survey I4
ENGL 230African American Literature4
ENGL 288Shakespeare and Film4
ENGL 306Medieval Literature4
ENGL 309Early Modern Literature4
ENGL 327British Romantic Literature4
ENGL 336The Elizabethan Age (HIST 336)4
ENGL 342American Romanticism4

300-Level Literature Courses

ENGL 306Medieval Literature4
ENGL 309Early Modern Literature4
ENGL 327British Romantic Literature4
ENGL 328Victorian Literature4
ENGL 331Black Women Writers4
ENGL 332Black Men Writers4
ENGL 334African Women Writers4
ENGL 336The Elizabethan Age (HIST 336)4
ENGL 342American Romanticism4
ENGL 372Modern Poetry4
ENGL 376Contemporary Fiction4
ENGL 3784

Introduction to Genre Courses

ENGL 205Introduction to Creative Writing4
ENGL 206Introduction to Poetry4
ENGL 207Introduction to Fiction4
ENGL 208Creative Nonfiction4
ENGL 210/THEA 244Playwriting Workshop (THEA 244)4
ENGL 218Fantasy & Science Fiction Literature4

Workshop Courses

ENGL 208Creative Nonfiction4
ENGL 210/THEA 244Playwriting Workshop (THEA 244)4
ENGL 211Poetry Workshop 14
ENGL 212Fiction Workshop 24
1

Requires ENGL 206 Introduction to Poetry or instructor permission as prerequisite.

2

Requires ENGL 207 Introduction to Fiction or instructor permission as prerequisite.

Writing Courses

ENGL 205Introduction to Creative Writing4
ENGL 206Introduction to Poetry4
ENGL 207Introduction to Fiction4
ENGL 208Creative Nonfiction4
ENGL 210/THEA 244Playwriting Workshop (THEA 244)4
ENGL 211Poetry Workshop 14
ENGL 212Fiction Workshop 24
ENGL 218Fantasy & Science Fiction Literature4
1

Requires ENGL 206 Introduction to Poetry or instructor permission as prerequisite.

2

Requires ENGL 207 Introduction to Fiction or instructor permission as prerequisite.

Craft Intensive Courses

ENGL 218Fantasy & Science Fiction Literature4
ENGL 228American Nature Writing (REL 120)4
ENGL 372Modern Poetry4
ENGL 376Contemporary Fiction4
ENGL 380The Art of Persuasion4

Practical Application Courses or Experiences

ENGL 275Literary Magazine Practicum1-2
ENGL 282Journalism4
ENGL 285Guilfordian Internship1-4
ENGL 290Internship1-8
ENGL 380The Art of Persuasion4
ENGL 382Document Design and Professional Communication4
ENGL 390Internship1-8

Students will usually take the introduction to the major (ENGL 299 Craft & Context) in the sophomore year and the capstone course (ENGL 400 Senior Seminar) in their senior year. 

Internships can be done either off campus (e.g., Style magazine, News & Record) or on campus (e.g., editorship with The Guilfordian or The Greenleaf Review).

Students develop a “plan of study” for their individually designed major as part of ENGL 299 Craft & Context and then monitor progress toward the major in course-selection meetings with their advisors.

Total credit hours required for A.B. degree in Creative Writing is 36 credits. 

Note: Both ENGL 102 College Reading and Writing: Many Voices and Historical Perspectives are prerequisites for ENGL 299 Craft & Context, ENGL 211 Poetry Workshop and ENGL 212 Fiction Workshop and for all 300- and 400-level English courses. ENGL 250 Special Topics and ENGL 350 Special Topics Special Topics courses may fulfill literature or writing course requirements, depending upon topic.